April 2002

Release Date: April 18, 2002

State Rep. Junell to Address ASU Spring Commencement

Speaking in the multipurpose facility named for his family, State Rep. Robert A. "Rob" Junell will deliver Angelo State University's spring commencement address during the inaugural graduation ceremony in the newly opened Junell Center/Stephens Arena May 10 on the ASU campus.

More than 400 ASU seniors and graduate students will receive their degrees during the commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. May 10. The ceremony will mark the first time since 1995 that the university has had an indoor facility large enough to accommodate the commencement crowd.

The Junell Center/Stephens Arena was opened earlier this year with dedication ceremonies Jan. 17. Junell and his family were honored at that time. He was subsequently invited to deliver the inaugural commencement address in the new facility that honors the contributions of the Junell family to the San Angelo region.

A San Angelo attorney, Junell was elected in 1988 to the first of seven terms in the Texas House of Representatives. By his third term in the Legislature, he had been elected chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, a post he holds to this day because of his easy-going but business-like manner. During his legislative career, Junell became not only one of the most powerful elected officials in the state but also one of the most popular. Earlier this year, though, he announced he would not run for re-election. His current term will end his legislative tenure.

Junell has lived in San Angelo since 1979. He attended public schools in Lubbock, then graduated from New Mexico Military Institute before attending Texas Tech University where he earned a bachelor's degree in education. He later received a master's degree in political science from the University of Arkansas before getting his law degree from Texas Tech in 1976. In 1998, he was named an honorary alumnus of ASU.

During his political career, he has received numerous honors. The Dallas Morning News recognized him as a "Rising Star" in 1991 and the "Best of the Best in the Texas Legislature" in 1995. Texas Monthly has recognized him multiple times as an outstanding legislator. Texas Tech has named him a distinguished alumnus, both for the law school and for the university.

He has been active in numerous local organizations and has been an ardent supporter of education in general as well as a loyal advocate for Angelo State in particular.